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A team of state and federal biologists assisted in disentangling this big, beautiful right whale off Daytona Beach. The fishing line is still visible tangled in the whale’s body and trailing behind it.Photograph by NOAA News Archive 123110

disturbance from whale-watching activity. Boats and even divers may alter natural behaviors and migration routes.

climate change. Rising ocean temperatures may force the whales’ species range to shrink to its northern habitat.

pollution and habitat degradation.Marine debris may have an enormous impact on the ability of whales to feed and migrate. Marine debris may include large pieces of trash, tiny microplastics, and even pollutants that alter the chemistry of ocean water.

ship collisions.In U.S. waters, large vessels, such as container ships, are required to travel at less than 10 knots (11.5 miles per hour) in areas where North Atlantic right whales feed, reproduce, or migrate.

North Atlantic right whales are enormous mammals—up to 15 meters (50 feet) and 79 tons. How could fishing ropes injure animals this big and powerful?

North Atlantic right whales can break through any ropes not designed to withstand about 771 kilograms (1,700 pounds) of pressure. The ropes currently being used are made to withstand much more pressure than that—the ropes are, in a lot of ways, stronger than the whales.

The project being developed by fishermen and conservationists is ropes and nets designed to break at 1,700 pounds. What are the challenges to this seemingly simple solution?

money. The gear designed to break at 1,700 pounds has to be specially made and ordered. Massachusetts lobsterman Mike Lane says, “these things are quite labor-intensive to make … We’re hoping that there would be a company that makes a rope that just breaks at 1,700 pounds, that you could just buy off the shelves.”

location. The solution only applies to nearshore fisheries, such as the lobster industry. Deeper waters demand stronger ropes.